Massive March Madness Upsets In Men's NCAA Tournament First Day: McNeese Cinderella?

The McNeese State Cowboys, Drake Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks made a statement at the start of the NCAA Tournament. The Liberty Flames have won 11 of their last 12 games, the Oregon Ducks eight of the last nine. Should coach Dana Altman and senior center Nate Bittle be worried?

Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys forward Christian Shumate (24) celebrates with guard Quadir Copeland (11) after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

This 2025 March Madness field hasn't screamed a lot of upsets compared to what this tournament has been capable of in the past. For those who have the real gut instinct when filling out a bracket, picking a lower seed would have favorited your total winning percentage through the first 16 games.

Lower seeds finished with a winning record of 12-4 through the first day of the NCAA Tournament. Besides the No. 9 Creighton Bluejays over the No. 8 Louisville Cardinals to open up the morning slate, these were the other three outstanding upsets.

The number of upsets might not have been massive, but the impact is.

Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys head coach Will Wade (right) celebrates with athletic director Heath Schroyer (left) after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

No. 12 McNeese State Cowboys over No. 5 Clemson Tigers, 69-67

With the news just a couple of days ago that McNeese State coach Will Wade accepted the open North Carolina State Wolfpack job, his current group of men didn't seemed to be bothered by it.

Wade has a veteran-led group composed of high-major Division-I transfers across the board and it showed especially from senior guard Brandon Murray. He started his collegiate career with Wade at the LSU Tigers back in 2021-22. After Wade was fired in 2022, Murray then had stops with the Georgetown Hoyas and Ole Miss Rebels before making his way back to the coach who originally recruited him.

Murray led the Cowboys over Clemson with 21 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in the opening round victory. Last season's first round loss for McNeese under Wade left a sour mouth and the entire program bounced back in a bountiful fashion.

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No. 11 Drake Bulldogs over No. 6 Missouri Tigers, 67-57

Coming into this game, junior guard Bennett Stirtz was one of the most unheard prospects ready to make a name for himself in March. He went from Division-II Northwest Missouri State to being the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. Against Missouri of the battle-tested Southeastern Conference, Stirtz proved he belongs with the best of the high-major names in this tournament.

He finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-for-11 field goals, a perfect 3-for-3 three-pointers. Missouri coach Dennis Gates had no answer for the future NBA Draft pick either after this tournament or if he decides to stay for one more go-around with the Bulldogs in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Drake Bulldogs guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dribbles against Missouri Tigers guard Tony Perkins (12) in the second half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images / Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks over No. 7 Kansas Jayhawks, 79-72

To call this an 'upset' is uncomfortable to say. Arkansas coach John Calipari has been around the college basketball block, everyone knows that. Same goes for Kansas coach Bill Self and his big man Hunter Dickinson.

The seven-footer has had his ups-and-downs throughout his career's beginning with the Michigan Wolverines from 2020-23 and it now has officially come to an end with the Jayhawks. In his last game with NCAA eligibility no longer a factor, Dickinson finished with 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting, nine rebounds, and four assists to four turnovers.

Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jonas Aidoo (9) drives to the basket against Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The second day of the NCAA Tournament should be a much different story than what everyone said about the first. Are the No. 5 Oregon Ducks officially on upset watch against the Conference USA's No. 12 Liberty Flames?

According to FanDuel, the Ducks are a -6.5 favorite over the Flames. The over/under is set at 139.5. The money line for Oregon is -295, Liberty at +235. Since 2018 in the Round of 64 results, the No. 5 seed has a winning record against the No. 12 seed, 16-9.

Tip-off is set for Friday, March 21 at 7:10 p.m. PT at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The game will be broadcast on TruTV.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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